Upgrading to Pro Tools 6.4
Before I begin any new projects, I have to upgrade to the newest level of Pro Tools.
Man, this has been one headache after another.
I thought the upgrade would cost $75, per the cost of new newest version. I encountered a laundry list of hidden costs along the way. Take note if you want to see how Apple and Digidesign have teamed up to rip off the little guy.
I had been running OS 9 on my Mac. I had a version of OS 10.2 that was shipped with my computer back in 2002. I was told that this disc would be sufficient once I wanted to upgrade to OS 10. When I went to install Pro Tools 6.4, I received an error message indicating that I needed OS 10.3 to operate this version. I did a bit of snooping on the Apple site and couldn't find a simple upgrade from 10.2 to 10.3. So, I called tech support. It turned out that 10.3 was a separate OS that could be purchased at the low cost of $125. I told the operator how crappy I thought that was.
$75 snowballed into $200.
After I successfully got the OS to communicate with Pro Tools, I noticed something fishy once I opened a previous Pro Tools session: none of my plug-ins worked. Most of my plug-ins, or virtual programs (i.e. effects, compression, out-board gear substitutions), were free with my version of Pro Tools 5, but some of them I purchased from various companies. I did a simple adjustment to get my Waves and Digirack stuff to work. My Antares Auto-Tune, which cost $250 to begin with, wouldn't load. When I talked to tech support, I learned that I could get the version that would work with Pro Tools 6 for the low price of $99.
$200 snowballed into $299.
So, those are the hidden costs of upgrading to Pro Tools 6.4...just in case you were wondering.
Why upgrade in the first place? Well, I can operate at a higher bit rate and get a higher fidelity with my recordings. And, most of the other studios around here use 6 and it's a pain to retro format to 5. Also, the click feature is neat, but not worth $300. I've noticed much less crashing with my system in the past two weeks, so that's a plus, too.
2 Comments:
Thats why im not down with macs... a cost of updating from 9 to 10 i can understand, but the "dot" updates should be totally free, a la WINDOWS. I hate that its the industry standard for the stuff I love to do (edit, animate)...
The cost of apple's OS is miniscule compared with that of Windows. 10.3 is a completely new version of the OS - not as simple as a .X addition might suggest. Plus it actually makes the computer faster and more stable. How often can you say that about an OS Upgrade compared with any Windows Installation from a previous version. I use my mac for everyday business as well as work in Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Dreamweaver etc. I couldn't stand working on my pc doing the same things.. it ws pure hell in torture. Mike I am glad to see you are a mac guy and using Pro Tools. Its the industry standard for so many creative proffesions for a reason.
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